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I gulp.
This isn’t going to end well at all, is it?
“Sit down, Riley.”
I sit.
“Good girl.”
Patronizing ass.
I bite my tongue. He’s already proven that he’s way more dangerous than I ever would have thought; if not dangerous, then definitely unpredictable. He has the knife.
I keep my mouth shut.
Once I’m down, Dr. Gillespie folds his knife, disappearing it into the pocket of his slacks. “See? I’m not an unreasonable man. I’ve told you all along that I’m here to help you. And I will. But first—”
A knock interrupts him.
With a warning look at me to keep quiet, he calls out, “I’m preparing for my next session. Is it important?”
A voice like a frog croaking comes through. Nurse Callahan. “Sorry to bother you, doctor, but we have a patient on the third floor insisting you come to him. There’s a tech and an orderly sitting with him now, but he says he needs you. Can you fit him in?”
Dr. Gillespie scowls. I can tell that he doesn’t want to leave me—even if I have no idea why—but that he’s also hesitant to turn the head nurse away.
With a huff, he says, “I have a few minutes free. I’ll be right there.”
Then, lowering his voice, he tells me, “I won’t be gone long. Get comfortable Riley. You’re not going anywhere for a while.”
8
It doesn’t take long for me to realize I’m fucked.
He locks the door after he closes it. It’s pointless—after seeing him whip that knife out of nowhere, I’m not about to test him. I’ve got the blood of too many on my hands already. I love Nine. I really do. When I get out of here, I’m going to save him… but I won’t sacrifice Amy or Frankie or anyone else just to shave off some time.
As soon as I’m pretty sure he’s gone, I pull out the “pay as you go” phone I bought in case this went sideways fast. I picked a pair of them up from the convenience store in Newport, one for me and one for Callie. I wanted to be able to contact my parents and, after a crash course in what a smartphone was and how they worked, I promised I’d call her if necessary.
Of course, that was when I thought I was dealing with the regular staff of Black Pine, not a vindictive doctor who seems to know way more about Faerie than I do.
The phone was charged. I double-checked before I left the apartment, and I even tested to ensure that it would survive shadow travel. However, as soon as I discover a black screen, I realize that the magic of the salt and iron circle—or maybe the strange closet—must have done something to it.
It’s dead.
Worthless.
Wonderful.
So my phone is out. Not like it would’ve been much help. I wouldn’t have allowed Callie or Ash to come after me, though at least they would know there’s a reason why I’m not returning just yet.
I hide it in my hoodie pocket just in case. Then, because there’s nothing else I can do, I sit with my back against the wall and wait.
His cockiness is deserved. Between the barrier and the super bright lights, I’m not going anywhere. I try to pull some shadows out of thin air because I’d be a moron not to, but it’s useless. All I do is make myself tired and frustrated and neither one of those emotions is going to help me right about now.
I feel like I should’ve been expecting something like this. The old Riley might have. The Riley who got a little complacent because she’s been holed up with her parents… she forgot what life outside of the apartment was really like. Melisandre is my biggest threat—but she’s not my only one.
With my phone dead, I don’t have a watch or any way to tell time. It’s a good thing that, despite all my other issues, I’ve never been claustrophobic. If I stretch out, there would be barely enough room for me, that’s how narrow this room is. Six feet maybe? A couple of feet longer the other way, though that side is taken up by the “toilet” and the sink.
Anxiety prickles against my senses. It’s not the space. I’ve been in worse. It’s the lock. It’s knowing that I all but walked into this mess and that, when I don’t return home tonight, I’m going to put Callie and Ash through hell.
